Politics

Late-night White House after party has LA flavor

thr-power-lunch-cover.jpgAfter the public inauguration festivities were over, President Obama and Michelle invited a select 150 to 200 guests back to the White House for dancing until 3 a.m. in the East Room. The DJ put up some Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, and some "Love Train" and "We Are Family," and the president "reportedly shed his coat and headed a conga line through the East Room," says Tina Daunt in the Hollywood Reporter. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was there — no tweeted photo this time, apparently — as were Eva Longoria, Maria Elena Durazo and Councilman Eric Garcetti, the mayoral candidate.

More from Daunt:

The celebrity attendees included Ashley Judd, who was talking about running for Senate in Kentucky; Kelly Clarkson, who performed at the official inauguration; actor Wendell Pierce from “Treme;" talk-show host Steve Harvey; Eva Longoria, who skipped her own party to attend the event; Kerry Washington; singer Janelle Monae; James Taylor; Katy Perry and boyfriend John Mayer; and actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn.


Among the California and Los Angeles politicians invited were Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is said to be angling for an appointment as Commerce Secretary; former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez; mayoral hopeful and City Council Member Eric Garcetti; labor honcho and incoming DNC Chairwoman Maria Elena Durazo; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; outgoing Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who reportedly will seek the county supervisorial seat Gloria Molina is about to vacate; former California State Controller and major Democratic giver Steve Westly; and Fremont Place residents Mattie and Michael Lawson. He’s a lawyer, and she is an interior designer.

The current print issue of the Hollywood Reporter is, by the way, the Hollywood power lunch issue. SoHo House tops the trade's new list, followed by the Polo Lounge, e. baldi, The Grill on the Alley and Ammo. There are 25 on the list, said to have been selected by those always popular "industry insiders."


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